✨ Welcome to the Home of Damn Sam Productions!
Damn Sam Productions was conceived in 1989 in Beacon, NY (the home of Pete Seeger) and was further developed at the famous ArrowHead Ranch in Parksville, NY.
Our main focus has been and continues to be full cannabis legalization.
We host the longest running cannabis competition in America!
2026 is our 30th annual!
"No one is free, until all of us are free!"
Brian Kuprian
"We are not counter to the American culture. We ARE the American culture!"
Rob Robinson
Our 2026 Entertainment!
Sam Grisman Project
Misty Mountain Ramblers
Skeleton Crewe Quintet
Sam Grisman is a bassist and bandleader at the helm of a commanding
improvisational ensemble performing live acoustic music in the tradition shaped by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman.
He grew up in Mill Valley, California in a home where some of the great acoustic music of our time was regularly being recorded. His father, legendary mando
Sam Grisman is a bassist and bandleader at the helm of a commanding
improvisational ensemble performing live acoustic music in the tradition shaped by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman.
He grew up in Mill Valley, California in a home where some of the great acoustic music of our time was regularly being recorded. His father, legendary mandolinist, composer, and producer David Grisman, often hosted friends at his home studio for recording sessions and
rehearsals. These friends, including Doc Watson, Jerry Garcia, John Hartford, Mike Seeger, and Tony Rice, left a lasting impression and inspired him to pursue a life making music with his many talented
friends. The band’s shows create a space where the band and audience share in a deep love and reverence for the great music and musicians who continue to inspire them.
The friends who make up Sam Grisman Project are a rotating cadre of acousticians who are among the brightest individual voices on their respective instruments. Members of this rotating cast include guitarists Max Flansburg, Logan Ledger, Sam Leslie, Henry Moser, Jesse
Harper, and Jefferson Hamer; mandolinists Dominick Leslie, Joe K.
Walsh, Matt Flinner, and Jesse Appelman; clawhammer banjo maestro Victor Furtado; fiddlers John Mailander, Alex Hargreaves, Nate Leath, Shad Cobb, and Phoebe Hunt; cellist Nat Smith; and Todd Livingston on the Dobro.
The band also frequently collaborates with legendary singer, songwriter, and bluegrass pioneer Peter Rowan, a deeply meaningful connection that ties directly back to David Grisman and the Old & In
the Way legacy. Over the years Sam Grisman Project has welcomed a wide
range of spontaneous and exciting guests including David Grisman, John Sebastian, Tim O’Brien, Billy Strings, Maria Muldaur, Margo Price, and many more.
This ever-evolving collective of exceptional humans who happen to be incredible musicians reflect the abundance of joy and wealth of experiences that growing up around this timeless music brought into Sam’s life. Sam Grisman Project is committed to putting their love, gratitude, and individuality into the music they share on stage each night, and to participating in the community effort of preserving, expanding, and appreciating great American acoustic music.
Skeleton Crewe Quintet
Misty Mountain Ramblers
Skeleton Crewe Quintet
Skeleton Crewe invites audiences into an intimate, high-vibe musical journey led by masterful artistry and fearless exploration.
Each performance blends original compositions, including many written by Robert Hunter in collaboration with Rob Barraco and with reimagined Grateful Dead favorites and expansive improvisations. Their sound mov
Skeleton Crewe invites audiences into an intimate, high-vibe musical journey led by masterful artistry and fearless exploration.
Each performance blends original compositions, including many written by Robert Hunter in collaboration with Rob Barraco and with reimagined Grateful Dead favorites and expansive improvisations. Their sound moves effortlessly across genres, weaving traditional Hawaiian influences with psychedelic Americana to create a transportive, one-of-a-kind experience. Skeleton Crewe doesn’t just play a show,
they create a musical conversation that feels both timeless and brand new.
FEATURING:
✰Rob Barraco - Keyboards & vocals (Dark Star Orchestra, Phil Lesh &
Friends, The Dead)
✰Barry Sless - Pedal Steel, electric guitar & vocals (Bobby Weir and
Wolf Bros, David Nelson Band, Phil Lesh and Friends, MoonAlice)
✰Stephen Inglis - Slack Key Guitar, electric guitar & vocals (Billy
Kreutzmann, Dennis Kamakahi)
✰Pete Sears - Bass (Jefferson Starship, Hot Tuna, Phil Lesh & Friends,
David Nelson Band, MoonAlice)
✰Jay Lane - Drums & vocals (Dead & Company, Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros, Ratdog, Primus)
Misty Mountain Ramblers
Misty Mountain Ramblers
Misty Mountain Ramblers
One day early in the dark days of the great pandemic a few of us were getting pretty bored and decided to get together and jam a bit - safely distanced, of course. It was fun so we did it again, and again, it was fun AND it sounded pretty good too. So we decided to be a band and make a song list and rehearse and play some gigs. Nothing t
One day early in the dark days of the great pandemic a few of us were getting pretty bored and decided to get together and jam a bit - safely distanced, of course. It was fun so we did it again, and again, it was fun AND it sounded pretty good too. So we decided to be a band and make a song list and rehearse and play some gigs. Nothing too ambitious. We weren't planning on playing any Grateful Dead songs but somehow they snuck into our repertoire anyway. Sneaky bastards. Now we have a couple of years worth of gigs under our belts, playing songs by Dylan, The Band, Allman Brothers, Traffic, The Beatles, Dr. John, Tom Petty, Phish, Pink Floyd, Elvis Costello, Bruce Cockburn, and even Grand Master Flash and Patti Smith. Oh yeah, and the good ol' Grateful Dead.
Laura Leigh Band
Laura Leigh Band
Laura Leigh Band
Multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Laura Leigh is at once a relic of a bygone age and a fresh face in the new generation of folk. Pulling from tried and true traditions of old time country and rock and roll, while effortlessly skating between contemporary genres with grace and good humor, she and her band of journeymen players have
Multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Laura Leigh is at once a relic of a bygone age and a fresh face in the new generation of folk. Pulling from tried and true traditions of old time country and rock and roll, while effortlessly skating between contemporary genres with grace and good humor, she and her band of journeymen players have nonetheless found a sound that is wholly their own. Backed by Guthrie Bell Productions and flanked by Chanda Dewey on drums, Chris Maccia on bass, and David Lawlor on lead telecaster, her driving rhythms and soaring melodies accompany heartfelt, insightful lyrics, which are delivered with a cadence that manages to be simultaneously sincere and irreverent. It is this breadth and depth of range that makes the LL band equally comfortable in the back woods and back alleys of New York's enigmatic upstate. The joy they take in their craft is self evident and contagious, as they include you in the inside joke and regale you with unique American stories that feel like home.
SAGE
Laura Leigh Band
Laura Leigh Band
SAGE formed in 2000 in New Hope, PA. Focusing on its live energy, the band played its own flavor of jam, funk, rock, and reggae up and down the east coast. In 2002 Sage released a self-titled double live album (Sage), and in 2005 released a studio album Up From Below. Over the years the band had the opportunity to work with acts such as J
SAGE formed in 2000 in New Hope, PA. Focusing on its live energy, the band played its own flavor of jam, funk, rock, and reggae up and down the east coast. In 2002 Sage released a self-titled double live album (Sage), and in 2005 released a studio album Up From Below. Over the years the band had the opportunity to work with acts such as Jimmy Cliff, The Wailers, John Popper, and many more. Though disbanding in 2006, Sage has continued to perform reunion shows, and in 2011 released a new compilation called The Lost Album.
In December of 2025 Sage staged a reunion show which sold out New Hope Arts Center. It was the first time the band had played for an audience in a decade.
As of 2026 Sage is back with all four original members and special guests!
Danny Danko
Laura Leigh Band
Danny Danko
Danny Danko, born Daniel Vinkovetsky, is a respected writer, talented photographer, and longtime cultivation specialist of our favorite plant. He spent over 18 years as Senior Cultivation Editor at High Times, curating the annual Top 10 Strains and guiding growers through his well-known “Dear Danko” column.
A familiar face at Competition
Danny Danko, born Daniel Vinkovetsky, is a respected writer, talented photographer, and longtime cultivation specialist of our favorite plant. He spent over 18 years as Senior Cultivation Editor at High Times, curating the annual Top 10 Strains and guiding growers through his well-known “Dear Danko” column.
A familiar face at Competition Cups around the world, Danny has traveled far and wide in search of the finest genetics and has judged more cups than just about anyone in the game. His impact on the community has been recognized through honors like the High Times Seed Bank Hall of Fame, as well as his book, Cannabis: A Beginner's Guide to Growing Marijuana.
Through decades of dedication, Danny has helped shape cannabis culture and continues to inspire growers and enthusiasts alike.
THANK YOU to Our 2026, 30th annual NYHFCC SPONSORS!
Thank You, Damn Sam FAM!
What an amazing 29th NY Harvest Fest Cannabis Cup!
The vibe, the venue, the weather, the family, the music — it was all perfect!
Thank you to EVERYONE who helped make this event happen and to EVERYONE who came out and contributed to the vibe.
A special thank you to the residents of Palenville for welcoming our tribe into your community!
Another huge thank you to Skeleton Crewe and all the musicians — you are the soundtrack of our lives and helped make the 29th Annual Cannabis Cup truly special!
To our sponsors and vendors — thank you for supporting the event from the concept stage onward.
Buy it on the lot. Buy it from your friends and neighbors. Support each other and our community — always!
Congratulations to all the 2025 contest winners!
The Longest Running Cannabis Cup in America Winner: Hudson Valley Green with their Gas Face
Hash Cup Winner: Van Winkle Farm
Golden Rolling Pin (Edible Cup) Winner: Queen Bee "Becky" Took BOTH Rolling Pins (THC & CBD)
Celebrity Cup Winners:
1st Place: Apple Fritters by Nicholas Dyami -
🥈 Very Close 2nd: Poughkeepsie Poison Breed by @jessieEldrid Grown by Michael @michael_tomasetti_
3rd Place: Truffle Knockout~ Sergeant Terps by Higher Beings
Every entry across the board was stellar — truly next-level work. The legacy continues! 
This year’s top spot (2025): Gas Face by Hudson Valley Green - @hudson_valley_green_
Each Cup is crafted by the incredibly talented Rob of Blurd Glass https://www.instagram.com/blurd_glass !
Cannabis tourism is real, and Greene County, NY sure knows it! Let’s keep up the momentum and keep an eye out for what’s next.
Stay tuned and stay in touch!
Our Friends & Supporters
Founder of Damn SAM
✨ Rob Robinson
A pioneering figure in cannabis culture, activism, and event
production, Rob Robinson has spent over three decades building
community through music, advocacy, and education.
A Navy veteran, Robinson co-founded and co-directs the New York
Cannabis Alliance and is the founder of Damn Sam Productions. For more
than 35 years, he has produced grassroots events, rallies, festivals,
and fundraisers supporting cannabis law reform.
He is best known as the visionary behind:
*The New York Harvest Festival & Freedom Fair
*The NY Harvest Fest Cannabis Cup, the longest-running cannabis
competition in the United States and second longest-running in the
world.
As the event approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, Robinson
continues to play a major role in shaping cannabis culture.
He is also:
*A former director of NY NORML
*A High Times Freedom Fighter
*A non-student advisor for Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP)
*A Senior Activist with the NY Cannabis Action Network
Through his work, Robinson continues to champion policy change, public
education, and the unifying power of cannabis culture.
